Airdrie pizza chain faces backlash, petition over hateful social media posts

A longtime pizza counter in Airdrie is now the center of a workplace crisis that reached far beyond the dining room. Paul’s Pizza, which says it has operated in the city since 1995 and also has Calgary locations, faced a wave of backlash after deleted Facebook posts drew accusations that the business mocked MMIWG and Indigenous grief.

The controversy started with a post from the restaurant’s official page promoting half-price Thursday deals, but adding: “But full price for members of the MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+, so that they can feel special in our safe space.” When a Facebook user questioned the reference, the account allegedly replied: “If they are missing and murdered, then unfortunately, they aren’t getting any special pricing.” A follow-up post from the owner said he did not know what “MMIWG” meant and said he was trying to joke about the 2SLGBTQIA+ acronym. Another post quoted by CityNews said, “My dig is at the alphabet community.”

For restaurant workers, the fallout is immediate and practical. A neighborhood pizza chain built on repeat traffic depends on trust at the counter, on delivery routes, and in family takeout orders. Once a business becomes publicly linked to remarks seen as hateful, the impact can spill straight to the floor: fewer regulars, harder shifts, more tension with guests, and staff left to absorb anger they did not create.

An online petition on Change.org asked the City of Airdrie to review Paul’s Pizza’s business licence under community-standards bylaws. The petition names the owners as Farouk Elsaghir and Hamdi Elsaghir and says the posts spread “harmful, hateful, and divisive stereotypes.” It also asks the city to restate its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and Truth and Reconciliation, and to address how Indigenous residents and visitors can feel safe in local businesses. The petition had 8 verified signatures when it was captured.

Mayor Heather Spearman said the issue involves “real people, real families, and real communities living with unimaginable grief and loss,” adding that Airdrie is a community “built on care, respect, and looking out for one another.” She also said the city cannot simply shut down a business over offensive speech and warned that giving mayors that power would set a dangerous precedent.

The City of Airdrie said social media posts fall outside its jurisdiction, though it encouraged residents to report concerning content to the RCMP non-emergency line, the Alberta Human Rights Commission, or the Better Business Bureau. Paul’s Pizza’s website still describes the business as an “Airdrie Staple” and says it has offered quality and affordable dining since 1995, but the reputational damage from a few posts may now weigh heavily on the people working the phones, ovens, and front counter.